📢 LINE-UP ANNOUNCEMENT: Start Up and Grow Week 2019

We're excited to announce the line-up of events for Start-up and Grow Week this September!

Running from 16th - 20th September 2019, this week long programme of training, workshops and events is designed to equip you with the skills and know-how to start or grow your business. 

You can follow all the action using #StartUpAndGrowWeek on Twitter!

The line-up for Start Up and Grow Week 2019 so far is as follows...

MONDAY

"Let's Talk Business" - drop-in for business start-up advice

Monday 16th September, 10am - 2pm, at The Women's Organisation (54 St James Street, L1 0AB). FREE.

Thinking of starting a business? If you have an idea or a hobby you could turn into a business, drop in for an informal chat with an expert Business Adviser at The Women's Organisation. You'll find out more about the logistics of going self-employed and discover what support is available to you.

Open to men and women who are thinking of starting a business in the Liverpool City Region. Booking essential. Secure your slot by contacting hello@thewo.org.uk or calling 0151 706 8111. More details here. 

Research your market: introduction to business information

Monday 16th September, 6 - 7.15pm at Liverpool Central Library's Business & IP Centre.

Are you exploring a business idea and want to know if there is a market for it? Do you want to find out more about a particular competitor, supplier or a potential customer?

This free workshop will help you utilise the wealth of business information resources available at Liverpool Business & IP Centre to help you find:

• Up-to-the-minute data on company financial performance

• Lists of companies to contact

• Important questions about the demand for a product or service

• Major players in your sector

• Trends in the industry

Book your free place here. 

TUESDAY

Building a Social Media Strategy

Tuesday 17th September, 10am - 1pm, at The Women's Organisation (54 St James Street, L1 0AB). £50 or fully-funded*

This informative workshop will guide you through the different social media platforms suitable for your business, explore time saving techniques and help you build a social media marketing strategy to promote your business and build an online presence in a cost effective and efficient way.

You can book your place via Eventbrite by clicking here, or by contacting the team on 0151 706 8113 or enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk. *If you're a woman living in the Liverpool City Region and thinking of starting a business, then you may be eligible for a FREE place on this course through the Enterprise Hub programme. Call the team to find out more.

Merseyside Expanding Horizons Business Brunch

Tuesday 17th September, 10am - 12pm, at Merseyside Expanding Horizons, Mill Lane, Old Swan, L13 5TF.

Our partners at Merseyside Expanding Horizons are hosting a business brunch for aspiring entrepreneurs this Start Up and Grow Week.

Contact staceyrobinson@expandinghorizons.co.uk for more info and bookings.

Protect your brand: trade marks and trade mark searching

Tuesday 17th September, 6-7pm at Liverpool Central Library's Business & IP Centre.

An essential guide to understanding how trade marks can help your business succeed.

Trade marks distinguish the goods or services of one business from another and can take many forms, for example; words slogans, logos, shapes, colours and sounds.


In this workshop we will explain the key facts about trade marks and how to use our free web databases to see if this form of protection is available and suitable for your business idea. It is ideal for you if you are an entrepreneur, inventor or innovator with an idea or product you are looking to protect with a trade mark.

Click here to book your free place.

WEDNESDAY

Planning for Success - business planning course

Wednesday 18th September, 9.30am - 4pm, at The Women's Organisation (54 St James Street, L1 0AB). £50 or fully-funded*

This one day of training is for women who have a clear business idea. It covers all the basics of business planning, looks at market research, promotion, advertising, pricing and financial skills helping to establish whether your business idea is potentially profitable.

You can book your place via Eventbrite by clicking here, or by contacting the team on 0151 706 8113 or enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk. *If you're a woman living in the Liverpool City Region and thinking of starting a business, then you may be eligible for a FREE place on this course through the Enterprise Hub programme. Call the team to find out more.

Be Your Own Boss

Wednesday 18th September, 6 - 8pm, at St Helens Chamber (WA10 1FY). FREE.

‘Be Your Own Boss’ events are designed to give you the information you need to decide whether starting and running a business is for you. It’s informal, free and the best way to find out everything you need to start your own business. 

Book your free place online by clicking here or call the team now on 01744 742096 for more information.

THURSDAY

**Business Start-up Conference**

Thursday 19th September, 10am - 1pm, at Liverpool Central Library's Business IP Centre (William Brown Street). FREE. Supported by Natwest Business.

We're excited to see the return of our hugely popular business start-up conference, which will be a cornerstone event this Start-Up and Grow Week!

So far, we can confirm that two inspiring Liverpool entrepreneurs will be joining us to share their start-up journeys - Ruth Hartnoll, Founder of digital marketing agency J&R Agency, as well as Claire Morton, founder of Ell & Dee NLP Consultants - with more speakers still to be announced.

Book your free place via Eventbrite by clicking here, or you can contact enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk or 0151 706 8113 for further information and bookings.

Digital Skills Training - Social Media Marketing & Web Presence

Thursday 19th September, 2.30pm - 4.30pm, with The Extraordinary Club in Liverpool Central Library's Business IP Centre (William Brown Street). FREE.

Following the start-up conference, we will be joined by The Extraordinary Club for an afternoon of Facebook certified training, talking all things web presence and social media strategy for early stage businesses. not to be missed!

Book your free place via Eventbrite by clicking here. 

Entrepreneur in Residence drop-in advice session 

Thursday 19th September, 1 - 4pm, at Liverpool Central Library's Business IP Centre (William Brown Street). FREE.

Cllr Gary Millar and his team of business experts will be on hand to answer to your business start-up questions in this friendly drop-in session.

No need to book - just pop to the first floor!

FRIDAY

A Beginner's Guide to GDPR and Information Security

Friday 20th September, 9.30am - 12.30pm at The Lauries (CH41 6EY).

This informative, half-day workshop helps you to keep your company safe and compliant by:

- Outlining the key principles of the General Data Protection Regulations in terms of the rights of your customers and the obligations of your business.

-  Explaining what should be considered when developing or reviewing your Privacy Policy

- Identifying techniques employed by hackers when attempting to breach your company and introducing some simple steps will help mitigate 80% of the most common threats faced… as well as providing some useful tips on how to keep you and your family safe online

Book your place via Eventbrite by clicking here. 

Open Business Drop at The Onion

Friday 20th September, 10am - 4pm at The Onion cafe, Bootle Strand Shopping Centre.

The Merseyside Expanding Horizons advice team will be on hand at The Onion cafe for anyone looking to start or grow a business to drop in and get some initial advice and information about the Enterprise Hub programme. 

No need to book - just drop-in!

For more details you can contact us on 0151 706 8113 or get in touch via e-mail at enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk

You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using @MerseyEntHub to be the first in the know about #StartUpAndGrowWeek.

Handyman Greg is nailing it with his new business!

If you’re looking for a souped-up handyman, then look no further than Greg Leasor and his new business, Leasor Handyman Solutions.  Greg not only offers the standard ‘jobs-around-the-home’ that need doing, but he can also design and build stuff, turn his hand to welding and even fix your car!

But this is a late career change for Greg.  Having been trained as an apprentice before becoming a Project Applications Engineer at a local rail products business, Greg moved on to another company where he worked for 18 years as a Manufacturing & Process Engineer.

It was riveting work – literally, as he oversaw the heat treatment and plating of small fasteners. However, as is often the way, the job changed and as the demands of the job increased more and more, Greg’s health began to suffer.  The stress began to build and eventually it started affecting not only himself, but also his family and friends.  It was then that he made the big decision to leave – a decision he made this year. So, it was from these stressful beginnings and the need for a better work-life balance, that Leasor Handyman Solutions was born in July of this year. 

Leasor Handyman Solutions provides the whole range of services you would expect – joinery, tiling, gardening, painting and decorating, pipework, some like-for-like electrics, shelving and so on.  However, due to Greg’s engineering background, he can also build you all manner of garden furniture from a shed to a summerhouse along with some nice stuff for the home including tables and benches, coasters, wooden decorative pieces and so on.  He is also very keen on recycling, upcycling and using his creative skills, as he can work wonders with a piece of old wood!

Then why Enterprise Hub?  Well, his wife, Julie, had already been through the Enterprise Hub programme the previous year and it was through Julie’s encouragement that Greg decided to give it a go and get in touch with Paul and Heidi at Wirral Chamber of Commerce.  

From there, he never looked back, attending all of the workshops as well as coming in for some one-to-ones.  When asked how Enterprise Hub helped him progress his business idea, he responded: “I don’t think my business would be here without Enterprise Hub.  The support certainly opened my eyes and taught me the skills necessary to start and run my own business.  I would definitely recommend Enterprise Hub and Wirral Chamber of Commerce to anyone needing business support.”

And what has Greg learned from his start-up journey?  “Don’t be afraid to say ‘No!’ Also, have a plan B, whether it is having another supplier, bringing in a specialist when needed or solving a problem for a customer, it’s always good to have a contingency plan in place!”  Wise advice.   And the biggest challenge to becoming his own boss?  “The change from working as part of a team of 100+ people to working alone took some getting used to!”

If you have any jobs around the house that need doing, or perhaps you’d like a pergola for the garden to relax in, why not get in touch with Greg at Leasor Handyman Solutions by giving him a call on 07794 996 972 or by e-mailing him at Greg@Leasorhandymansolutions.co.uk

For more information about support to help start or grow your new business through Enterprise Hub, please contact 0151 706 8113 or enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk.

Business expert set to take up residency in The Atkinson to help drive local business growth

An Enterprise Hub business expert is set to take up a weekly residency at Southport Library, in The Atkinson, to help Sefton residents start and grow their new businesses.

This fully-funded business support is aimed at helping those in the Sefton area who are looking to start a business, or those who are looking to grow a new business which is under three years old.

Enterprise Hub is Liverpool City Region’s “one front door” access point for business support, offering clients a programme of 1-2-1 business support and advice, as well as access to training courses, to help develop their ideas and learn core business skills.

Enterprise expert Jacqueline Daley will be offering a number of 1-2-1 appointments every Thursday between 10am - 12pm at Southport Library in the iconic Atkinson building. Appointments should be pre-booked by those wishing to register onto the Enterprise Hub programme.

This support will help clients understand the process of starting or growing a business and to research and develop a business plan or growth strategy. Budding entrepreneurs will also be able to learn key skills to develop a sales and marketing strategy, as well as understanding the everyday practicalities of running a business and looking at ways of accessing finance.

The new outreach appointments will mean those with a business idea can receive support on their doorstep, without having to travel to Enterprise Hub’s Liverpool City Centre base.

Jackie Williams, Enterprise Hub Project Manager and Enterprise Director at Liverpool social enterprise The Women’s Organisation, says: “We’re delighted to be bringing Enterprise Hub straight to the Sefton community at Southport Library to give local people that all-important helping hand and confidence boost to pursue or develop a business dream.

“We would highly encourage anyone who is either sat on an idea they’d like to explore or has a new business that is ready to grow, to get in touch and see how we can help. The community here is always brimming with entrepreneurial spirit and ideas, so we’re excited to see what is in store!”

Vicki Rutland, at The Atkinson, says: “We are delighted to welcome the expertise of Enterprise Hub into The Atkinson and hope this new partnership will be of immense benefit to the residents of Sefton”

The support and training is available fully-funded under the Enterprise Hub programme, which is receiving funding from the European Regional Development Fund.

Eligibility criteria does apply and Enterprise Hub support is available to men and women living in the Liverpool City Region, who have not yet registered with Companies House or HMRC, or any business under three years old in the Liverpool City Region.

Those who would like to take advantage of the drop-in at The Atkinson should pre-book by calling 0151 706 8113 or e-mailing enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk to register for the programme.

Window of Opportunity for Steve and Fred!

Now if you’re a business in need of a bit of attention, then maybe Steve McEvoy and Frederick Warham of My Dresser Limited can help!  If it’s anything to do with promotional displays, then look no further than My Dresser Ltd.

My Dresser Ltd.

However, the first shoots of entrepreneurship sprouted many years before.  Fred was one of 14 siblings, so it’s no wonder he started doing a paper round at 12 years old as every penny helped.  He became the youngest ever UK manager of a certain fast food franchise but eventually cut his teeth in Australia where he was responsible for all the merchandising and window displays for a women’s boutique/florist shop!  Fred had to become very creative and it was with these skills and innate talent that paved the way for a successful career in window dressing.  As they were best mates at the time, Steve also ended up in Australia with Fred, but this was after he had set up and then sold on two shops in Liverpool (at a profit he is quick to add).  After Oz, Steve then put his Degree to good use, studied for his PGCE and then embarked on a career as a science teacher for 20 years.

With Fred travelling all over the UK and Steve having to cope with noisy kids every day, both decided a change was needed, and My Dresser Ltd seemed the next logical step.

My Dresser Ltd can offer a whole package of services to enable businesses to make the most of any promotional space available for merchandising and displays.  They can quickly assess what’s needed and, through careful collaboration with the business, come up with a product guaranteed to make that business stand out from the crowd.  They also work with garden centres, events companies, various venues and hotels along with all manner of retail outlet. Whether it’s old-school wood, card and MDF or more high-tech LCD/LED displays, My Dresser Ltd can do the lot.

Are there any words of wisdom that Steve or Fred would like to share?  Steve is keen to point out: “Plan ahead!  If you don’t, you could end up looking foolish.”

And how did Enterprise Hub help?  Again, Steve responds:  Paul and Heidi at Enterprise Hub have really given us the ability to focus on what really matters.  The support from Enterprise Hub has boosted our confidence and, most importantly, helped us to make informed choices!”

And what made him nervous?  “The unknown!”  Anything to do with tax or legal requirements made us both very nervous.”

So, if you’re a business with a shop window needing some TLC, or perhaps you’re a venue running an event that needs to look fabulous, then why not get in touch with My Dresser Ltd?  You can contact Fred/Steve on 07500 646 641 or email them at mydresserltd@outlook.com

And if you would like to get advice on the elements of starting or growing a business that make you most nervous, get in touch with the Enterprise Hub team via enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk or 0151 706 8113.

Enterprise Hub is part funded by European Regional Development Fund and Free to access for those living or in the early stages of trading in the Liverpool City Region. 

Announcing Enterprise Hub Start Up and Grow Week this September!

We're excited to announce that we're hosting a business Start-up and Grow Week this September!

Running from 16th - 20th September 2019, this week long programme of training, workshops and events is designed to equip you with the skills and know-how to start or grow your business. 

Start-Up and Grow Week will also see the return of our hugely popular business start-up conference on Thursday 19th September, 10am - 1pm, at Liverpool Central Library BIPC. So far, we can confirm that two inspiring Liverpool entrepreneurs will be joining us to share their start-up journeys - Ruth Hartnoll, founder of digital marketing agency J&R Agency, as well as Claire Morton, founder of Ell & Dee NLP Consultants - with more speakers still to be announced.

Following the start-up conference, we will be joined by Extraordinary Club for an afternoon of Facebook certified training, talking all things web presence and social media strategy for early stage businesses. 

The full line-up of events and how to book is still to be announced, so watch this space! 

You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook using @MerseyEntHub to be the first in the know and book your place. 

Business expert set to take up residency at Formby Pool to help drive local business growth

An Enterprise Hub business expert is set to take up a weekly residency at Formby Pool to help Sefton residents start and grow their new businesses.

This fully-funded business support is aimed at helping those in the Sefton area who are looking to start a business, or those who are looking to grow a new business which is under three years old.

Enterprise Hub is Liverpool City Region’s “one front door” access point for business support, offering clients a programme of 1-2-1 business support and advice, as well as access to training courses, to help develop their ideas and learn core business skills.

Heather Davies, Community Development Officer at Formby Pool (left),
pictured with Enterprise Hub advisor Jacqueline Daley (right).

Enterprise expert Jacqueline Daley will be offering a number of 1-2-1 appointments every Thursday between 1-3pm at Formby Pool. Appointments should be pre-booked by those wishing to register onto the Enterprise Hub programme.

This support will help clients understand the process of starting or growing a business and to research and develop a business plan or growth strategy. Budding entrepreneurs will also be able to learn key skills to develop a sales and marketing strategy, as well as understanding the everyday practicalities of running a business and looking at ways of accessing finance.

The new outreach appointments will mean those with a business idea can receive support on their doorstep, without having to travel to Enterprise Hub’s Liverpool City Centre base.

Jackie Williams, Enterprise Hub Project Manager and Enterprise Director at Liverpool social enterprise The Women’s Organisation, says: “We’re delighted to be bringing Enterprise Hub straight to the Sefton community at Formby Pool to give local people that all-important helping hand and confidence boost to pursue or develop a business dream.

“We would highly encourage anyone who is either sat on an idea they’d like to explore or has a new business that is ready to grow, to get in touch and see how we can help. The community here is always brimming with entrepreneurial spirit and ideas, so we’re excited to see what is in store!”

Heather Davies, Community Development Officer, at Formby Pool, says: “At Formby Pool we are a hub at the heart of our community – a place to meet and come together – and so we are very excited to be able to offer yet more opportunities for local residents.

“These drop-in sessions with Enterprise Hub will offer budding entrepreneurs the chance to receive the support and guidance they need right on their doorstep. I hope that local residents will take advantage of this opportunity and that the support on offer will help to boost our thriving community here in Sefton”.

The support and training is available fully-funded under the Enterprise Hub programme, which is receiving funding from the European Regional Development Fund.

Eligibility criteria does apply and Enterprise Hub support is available to men and women living in the Liverpool City Region, who have not yet registered with Companies House or HMRC, or any business under three years old in the Liverpool City Region.

Those who would like to take advantage of the drop-in at Formby Pool should pre-book by calling 0151 706 8113 or e-mailing enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk to register for the programme.